Gerbera plant named Terocsa

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named Terocsa, characterized by its semi-double flower and flat shaped flower form; red to dark lilic ray floret color; dark purple disc florets; red to dark lilac perianth lobes and relatively small diameter flower head.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Gerberaplant, botanically known as Gerbera jamesonii, and referred to by thecultivar name Terocsa.

Terocsa was originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in De Kwakel, The Netherlands in 1989 under thesupervision of the inventor Lambertus J. M. Stravers.

The female parent was a cultivar designated 87.442. The male parent wasa cultivar designated M88.138. The new cultivar was discovered andselected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the statedparentage by the inventor in or about January 1990 in a controlledenvironment in De Kwakel.

The first asexual reproduction of Terocsa was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in April 1990in a controlled environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands by atechnician working under formulations established and supervised by theinventor. The new cultivar is presently being propagated by cuttings andtissue culture. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated inNovember 1990 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristicsas herein disclosed for Terocsa are firmly fixed and are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Terocsa has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in commercial greenhouses in De Kwakel, The Netherlands undercontrolled conditions which closely typify those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and have beendetermined to be basic characteristics of Terocsa, which in combinationprovide a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Semi-double type flower and flat shaped flower form.

2. Ray florets are red-dark lilac in color.

3. Dark purple disc florets.

4. Perianth lobe is also red-dark lilac in color.

5. The diameter of the flower head is small, approximately 70 mm.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, certaincomparisons can be made with the new cultivar. The new cultivar Terocsahas a relatively small flower diameter (approximately 70 mm) and issimilar in this characteristic, and also growth habit, to the cultivarsTerkapol, Tertala and Terikatir, all cultivars of the present inventordisclosed in pending plant patent applications. However, Terocsa differsfrom the other cultivars in flower color and certain othercharacteristics. The flower color of Terocsa, a relatively intensered/dark lilac, is a more intense and dark red than the flower color ofthe cultivar Teracha which is a relatively bright pink. A furtherdifference is that Teracha has single flowers. Teracha is disclosed in apending plant patent application of the inventor.

In comparison to the parent cultivars, the female parent 87.442 has ared flower color with purple discs, and a much larger flower diameter(70-79 mm). The male parent M88.138 has semi-double flower form, pinkray florets and green disc florets, and a somewhat larger (65-75 mm)flower diameter.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescencecharacteristics of Terocsa, with the colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Feb. 20, 1991 under naturallight at De Kwakel, The Netherlands.

Classification:

Botanical.--Gerbera jamesonii cv Terocsa.

Commercial.--Gerbera.

Parentage: Seedling from cross of 87.442 and M88.138.

Plant: The plant when fully grown after approximately five (5) months ofgrowth reaches a height of 40 cm, measured from the soil line.

Leaf blade:

Length.--Medium.

Width.--Narrow.

Blistering (puckering).--Weak.

Hairiness on upper side.--Medium.

Depth of cuts or incisions.--Medium in central part of leaf.

Color.--Upper surface of leaf 137A, medium green; lower surface 138B.

Glossiness on upper side.--Weak.

Angle at tip.--Acute.

Shape at tip.--Pointed.

Margin of lobes.--Serrate.

Extension of margin.--Small.

Petiole length.--Long.

Petiole anthocyanin coloration.--Present, medium in intensity.

Peduncle:

Length.--Long.

Cross section.--Round, medium strength and thickness.

Hairiness.--Medium.

Color.--Medium green.

Anthocyanin.--Present at base, medium in intensity, none present at tip.

Bracts.--Absent.

Flower Head:

Type.--Semi-double; flat shaped in form.

Diameter from edge to edge.--Approximately 70 mm; varies somewhatdepending on season and stage of development.

Involucre.--Height: Medium. Diameter: Medium. Bracts: Longitudinal axisof bracts on inner rows are straight. Anthocyanin: Present at top ofinner involucral bracts.

Outer row ray florets.-- Number in outer row: 40-60. Length of floret:Less than 29 mm. Width of floret: 5-9 mm. Shape of floret: Generallyelliptical with narrow base; longitudinal folding is weak. Shape of tip:Rounded, right angle, two teeth, absent or very shallow in depth. Crosssection of floret: Flat. Color distribution on inner side: Uniform.Striation: Absent. Claw spot: Absent. Color on top side: 53C. Color onbottom side: 58D. Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters:Red to dark lilac.

Inner rows rays florets.--Number of incisions: Two. Depth of incisions:Shallow or absent.

Disc florets.--Diameter: 10-19 mm. Main color of perianth lobes: Darklilac. Color (mature and immature): Dark purple.

Reproductive parts:

Stigma.--Main color, purple.

Anthers.--Main color, yellow; anthocyanin coloration medium.

Pappus.--Main color, purple.

Disease resistance: Medium.

Pest resistance: Medim.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named Terocsa,as illustrated and described.